Stephen Dennis Walters

1949 - 2006

Stephen Dennis Walters, 57, managing editor of The Temple Daily Telegram, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at a Temple hospital.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton,, with Minister Joe Baisden officiating. Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple.

Stephen Dennis Walters was born July 6, 1949, on the island of Guam, to Harris E. and Mary Ann Cullten Walters. He married Glynnis Leigh Gilmore in August of 1973.

A graduate of Paschal High School, Mr. Walters later graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor's degree in radio, television and film. He worked as an intern with WFAA television in Dallas before starting his newspaper career. After a time with the Ardmore, Oklahoma Ardmoreite and the Orange, Texas Leader, he came to work as the wire editor for the Temple Daily Telegram in 1976. He was promoted to city editor and assistant managing editor before becoming managing editor.

He was highly respected in his field. Sue Mayborn, editor of publisher at the Telegram, said of him, "Truth, fairness, accuracy, is the moral obligation of journalists. This is a philosophy which Steve shared and one to which he always tried to aspire." He was praised by his colleagues for his work ethic and his encouraging and cooperative spirit.

Mr. Walters loved his family and was an avid fan of the TCU Horned Frogs. A scholarship fund will be set up in his name at his alma mater.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Glynnis, who died June 11, 2001; and a brother, Thomas Walters.

Survivors: his mother and father, Major Harris E. and Mary Ann Walters of Fort Worth; son, Matthew Cyrus Walters and wife, Amanda Walters, of Temple; daughters, Stephanie Walters Post and husband, Robert J. Post, of Lake Charles, La., and Sarah Walters Watson and husband, Christopher Watson, of Austin; grandchildren, Thomas Post and Elizabeth Post; and dear friend, Lourdes Williams of Brownsville.